Photos in Crafts

There are many unique ways to use
photographs in crafts that allow for personality, expression
and interests to be displayed not only in the home or
office, but any where you go. Use these ideas to expand
your own use of photographs in crafting and gift ideas.
A person remembers so much through photographs, having
them displayed in various ways allows for individuals
to share their friends, family and events easily and
keeps those special moments fresh in their minds.

Hand, Beach and Baby Bags

Pictures aren't just for wallets! Clear plastic can
be stitched over decorative fabric when making all types
of bags, whether hand bags or baby bags, or whatever.
By sewing strips of plastic on the outside of a bag
and then creating individual pockets, pictures can easily
be slipped in and out. Remember to measure accurately
for the size photographs you want to use and give a
little more space than needed. For example, if you are
using 4x6 photos sew your pockets an extra 1/2 inch
wider or so, so that pictures will fit. Bags can be
used for new moms as a great baby shower gift, grandmas
to show off their grand-babies or teenagers to have
their friends with them where ever they go. Large or
small bags can be used as purses or beach bags to tote
toys around. The best part is how quickly the photos
are used without having to transfer them onto fabric.

Pillows and Pillowcases

Photos can be put directly onto fabric and stitched
into a pillowcase, or a plastic pocket can be made for
a photo to be slipped into like when making a hand bag.
Because plastic doesn't unravel like many fabrics, you
do not have to tuck the edge under and sew, but can
simply sew around the cut edges. Make sure to cut the
plastic big enough for seem allowance to be accounted
for. Pillows with pictures are especially fun for teenage
girls rooms as extra throws on a bed- they are decoration
with her best friends and useful for doing homework,
reading or talking on the phone! Also a cute addition
to a child's play room with pictures of them growing
up. Every child loves to see them self as a baby and
this is a great way for them to be able to handle pictures
without constantly being told to be careful. Whoever
the pillows are for, select photographs that they will
enjoy and can be handled. By making copies of pictures,
you won't have to worry about originals getting ruined.

Quilting With Photographs

Combining multiple crafts into a new crafting form
allows for more creative expression than ever before.
Quilting with photographs is a great example of different
interests being unified to create a usable piece of
art. Memory quilts make especially meaningful gifts
as they record our most treasured moments. Weddings,
graduation, family trees, childhood, and family are
all excellent themes to build a quilt around. Choosing
photos related to one another and recording a special
event allow for a story to be told through the pictures.
Pictures can be printed on special fabric made for this
purpose and put through your printer or a person can
use their own fabric. Using your own fabric takes longer,
but especially if the quilt is a large project, is more
cost effective. Before running the fabric through the
printer, test it first on paper to see sizing and placement.
A memory quilt is a gift of love and the special occasion
it captures can be displayed in a family room, bedroom
or dorm room. It can be used and taken everywhere and
will definitely be treasured by the recipient.

Children's Crafts

Books / Videos

Painting

Drawing

Sculpture

Painting is the practice
of applying pigment suspended in a carrier
(or medium) and a binding agent (a glue)
to a surface (support) such as paper, canvas
or a wall.

Drawing is one of many
ways to making an image; it is the process
of making marks on a surface by applying
pressure from or moving a tool on the surface.
These marks may represent what the artist
sees when drawing, a remembered or imagined
scene or abstraction.

Sculpture is any three-dimensional
form created as an artistic expression.
Sculpture is primarily concerned with space:
occupying it, relating to it, and influencing
the perception of it.